ZweigWhite’s A/E Policy Manual will provide you with:

• A comprehensive collection of policies that every architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firm needs
• Hundreds of actual policies in use by firms like yours
• Policies on everything from compensation and paid time off to operations and insurance
• A detailed breakdown of policies by specific areas of interest and targeted subjects of importance
• A free companion CD-ROM with the Microsoft Word version of all the policies from the book

Is your firm’s policy manual up to date? Does it cover everything that needs to be covered? How do you know for sure?

ZweigWhite’s A/E Policy Manual is your chance to get an inside look at a comprehensive grouping of operational policies and guidelines collected from firms just like yours. Whether you’re a firm president, operations manager, CFO, administrative staffer, human resources employee, or office manager, the A/E Policy Manual will help you understand, create, and manage firm protocol. Use this one-of-a-kind resource to help you update your firm’s own manual, start a new one from scratch, or just make sure that there’s nothing missing from your existing handbook.

The A/E Policy Manual is organized by topic, so it’s easy to locate the policy you’re looking for. Every area is covered, from the major policies—work hours, e-mail, dress codes, and professional registration; to the more obscure—moonlighting, nepotism, voting leave, and ergonomics. The written policies are actual policies in use by firms in the A/E industry, taken straight from their policy manuals and employee handbooks. The comprehensive nature of this resource will help you create clear and straight-forward guidelines by which your firm will operate, while setting rules and standards for all individuals to abide by.

In addition to the book, you’ll also receive a free companion CD-ROM that contains all the policies from the publication in Microsoft Word format. If you’re like most firm leaders or human resources managers, you don’t have the time in your hectic schedule to create a policy manual from scratch, or even conduct a comprehensive review of an existing manual. This easy-to-use CD-ROM will save you hours of time creating your own policy manual or employee handbook. Use the written policies as they are or arrange them to meet your firm’s individual needs. Save time and energy by taking full advantage of our A/E Policy Manual and make sure you’ve covered all the bases!

Don’t put off creating or revising your firm’s policy manual any longer—the effects could be costly. Get the details on how other firms operate and what policies they have in place, then create a manual your firm can be proud of. Purchase a copy of the A/E Policy Manual and get your firm’s manual up to speed!

Foreword

Company Background & Organization
Mission statement • Management strategy • Services provided • Market definition and niche • Company values • Employee relations • Client relations • History • Ownership and legal status • Corporate identification • Confidentiality • Policy manual revisions

Operations
Building security • Visitors • Solicitation • Telephone calls • Telephone etiquette • Voice mail • Incoming mail • Outgoing mail • Office stationery • Product literature • Office supplies • Bulletin boards • Company-owned property • Employee-owned property • Housekeeping • Media/public relations • Emergency press-related communications

Personnel & Hiring
Employment categories • Employee referrals • Equal employment opportunity • Americans with Disabilities Act • Voluntary Disclosure of Disability, Disabled Veteran, or Veteran of the Vietnam Era • Immigration Reform and Control Act • Background checks • Offer letter • Introductory period • Personnel records • Employment at-will • Moonlighting • Advances and loans • Nepotism • Voluntary termination • Involuntary termination • Layoffs • Inactive status • Exit interviews • References/letters of recommendation • Re-employment

Work Schedule
Hours of work • Breaks • Flex time • Telecommuting • Summer hours • Time sheets • Punctuality and attendance • Inclement weather and emergency situations

Salary & Overtime Pay Procedures
Pay and pay periods • Overtime • Compensatory time • Performance and salary reviews • Promotions • Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

Bonuses & Benefits
Profit sharing • Performance bonuses • Referral bonuses • 401(k) plans • Employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) • Service awards • Commuter travel reimbursement • Employee discounts

Insurance
Medical, dental, and vision insurance • Life insurance • Domestic partner benefits • Short-term disability • Long-term disability • Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA) • Cafeteria plan and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) • Unemployment insurance

Paid & Unpaid Time Off
Paid time off • Vacation • Holidays • Personal business and emergencies • Sick leave • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) • Maternity & paternity leave • Bereavement leave • Victims of crime leave • Formal leave of absence • Jury duty and witness leave • Military leave • Voting leave

Standards of Conduct
Conduct • Off-duty conduct • Conflict of interest • Manufacturers’ representatives • Grievances • Music • Dress code • Field dress codes • Casual Friday • Substance abuse

Safety in the Workplace
Personal safety • Site visit safety and equipment • Ergonomics • Workers’ compensation insurance • Emergency situations • Sexual harassment • Other harassment • Workplace searches • Violence and weapons • Life-threatening illnesses and infectious diseases • Smoking and tobacco products • Pets

Professional Development
Professional registration/licensing • Certifications • Professional society membership • Seminars, workshops, and conferences • Training record • Tuition reimbursement • Course schedule • Professional writing and speaking

Information Technology
Computers • Software licensing • Software downloading • Software uploading • E-mail • Listservs/discussion groups • Internet usage

Business Travel & Expenses
Business travel • Air travel • Passports • Lodging • Meals • Entertainment • Travel time • Expense reports & reimbursement • Multi-day travel • Allowable expenses • Personal vehicles • Company-owned vehicles • Vehicle safety • Cellular phones • Company credit cards • Relocation expenses

Responsibility to the Community
Charitable contributions • Community service • Company blood bank

Index